momluvsfootball

I wasn't there, but I remember hearing the stories from those who were. Who, decades later their skin wrinkled, hands spotted and time had taken away their youth but would only fade, and never remove the tattooed number on their arm. They would recount their memories, of the day the tanks rolled in and the soldiers arrived. It was that day they had their freedom again and would remember the soldiers and the US as their liberators, their saviors.

Then there are others, not too long after, who would remember a flash of light and mass destruction and death of thousands upon thousands of innocents and would look at the US differently, with disdain and hate, at least for awhile. At the time we believed we were right, we believed that we did what was necessary. History would eventually show us otherwise, that it was unnecessary and our leaders knew it at the time, but did it anyway.

It's the history of our country, since it's birth. A history of hope and goodwill, along with oppression and brutality. The shores of America were always a beacon of hope and opportunity, and yet history will also recount times where we were also a land a people of greed and power. A gift from an ally stands in the harbour in New York City, symbolizing what was, is good about this country. Flags fly high as a symbol of it's pride and yes, we are allowed to be ashamed when we go against what those icons symbolize. Doesn't make us any less when we do, just shows that we are mainly a people, a country built upon compassion.

I won't recount our injustices, just to say, we've had our bigotry and prejudices and greed. We've massacred thousands for land, we kept some from enjoying the freedoms that others enjoyed. It's usually the next generation that comes along and tries to right that wrong we've done. We've stumbled, we've gotten up and then to stumble again. We're wise at times and foolish at others.

I've often heard some say that we should not be one with the world, that we should be all unto ourselves . History has shown that the world will not let us, nor will we. After all, this country was built by those who were not originally born on this land. Boats brought our ancestors from foreign shores, and the geneology for most will find that we originated elsewhere. Still we are Americans, and somehow, through the life of our nation, we've become a leader, not just to us, but also to the world. A country so young, so foolish, leading those who've been around so much longer. Go figure.

We've tried to represent what that lady, that flag stands for. We've gone in to help those who couldn't help themselves. We've helped overthrow tyranny, and we've, in our stupidity and naivity installed tyrants, when we've thought they would help us.   We're not perfect but somehow, the good finds a way to prevail.   We've sent troops in to protect the helpless, we've sent food and money and alot of our citizens went to help those devastated by famine, natural disaster and war. We've helped the downtrodded, the oppressed. We've represented freedom to those stuck behind a wall or wire fences, who had none. For better or worse, America sometime along the way, accepted the role of leader of the free world and we took up the responsibilities along the way. Some would argue that this would lead to our downfall and I would disagree with them.

It would be on September 11th, 2001, it wouldn't be just the day the citizens of the USA stopped and watched in horror as we were attacked, it would also be the day the world stopped. While we were holding candlelight services and hanging flags, the citizens of the world gathered and held candlelight vigils for us, moments of silence, only goodwill for our country. Even in the countries where the terrorists were from, their citizens stood up with the world, with us. There was no doubt that the US would come through this.

Funny that they would do this for us, especially when we see the ne